Diving Ducks of the Wetlands Mystery Cache

Please bring your own pen or pencil, as the container is too small to hold same.

The GeoCache is not located at the virtual coordinates provided, please solve the following to obtain the physical coordinates.  ;-)

A Naturalist’s Journey: The Diving Ducks of the Wetlands

As I wander along the quiet shores of a northern wetland, the air crisp and brimming with the early whispers of autumn, I find myself immersed in the world of ducks. These wetlands, teeming with life, are a sanctuary for many species, but today I am focused on the diving ducks—the sleek and agile birds that dive below the surface to forage for food. They are a fascinating group, easily distinguished by their graceful but powerful movements. Each species has its own charm, and I’m eager to observe their unique traits.

The first bird that catches my eye is a Canvasback Duck (Aythya valisineria). This large duck, one of the most striking of the diving species, stands out as it glides effortlessly across the water. The drake, with his elegant, gracefully sloped black bill, is unmistakable. His russet-colored head shines under the morning sun, the deep hue contrasting beautifully with his canvas-white back. The Canvasback’s powerful, broad chest and long neck give him a dignified, almost regal appearance. As he dips beneath the water, his body disappears with remarkable speed, an elegant silhouette in the depths below.

Nearby, a group of Redhead Ducks (Aythya americana) swims into view. These medium-sized diving ducks are extremely gregarious, often forming large, tight-knit flocks. The males, or drakes, have a rich, russet-red head that stands out against their otherwise grayish body. One of the best ways to differentiate them from the Canvasbacks is by noting the vermilion eye of the Redhead, which contrasts sharply with the yellow eyes of the Canvasbacks. The gray back of the Redhead, unlike the whiter back of the Canvasback, is a subtle yet important detail to help identify these two species. The Redheads are often seen in large numbers, their social nature adding a lively energy to the wetlands.

Just a short distance away, I spot a pair of Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris). These relatively small ducks are easily recognized by their tall, peaked crown, which gives them a distinct, almost puffy appearance. The males have a glossy black head and back, contrasting sharply with their clean gray sides. The bright white spur on their sides, just below the wing, is another key feature that distinguishes them. The females, more subdued in color, have a grayish-brown body with a paler patch at the base of the bill and a characteristic white eyering. The Ring-necked Duck’s gray wingstripe is a subtle but notable detail to look for, especially when the bird is in flight.

Further along the shore, I spot a group of Greater Scaup (Aythya marila), commonly referred to as bluebills. The males are striking, with a black breast, medium gray back, and white sides that gleam in the sunlight. Their heads appear almost entirely black, but under the right lighting, a greenish sheen becomes apparent, distinguishing them from their similarly colored counterparts, the Lesser Scaup. The yellow eyes of the Greater Scaup are a key feature to help tell them apart from the Lesser Scaup, which has darker eyes. The female Greater Scaup, a more subdued version of her mate, is brown overall, but she too has a white patch at the base of her bill, a distinctive feature of both sexes.

Not far from the Greater Scaup, I spot a few Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis), the smaller cousin of the Greater Scaup. The male’s black-purple glossed head, along with his blue bill and gray-and-white back, sets him apart, though he can easily be confused with the Greater Scaup. The Lesser Scaup’s head has a slightly peaked appearance, and he sports a short white wing stripe, a feature that further distinguishes him from the Greater Scaup. The female Lesser Scaup, with her white face patch around the bill and short wing stripe, shares many features with the Greater Scaup, but her smaller size and lack of a pronounced green sheen on her head help separate her from the larger species.

As I continue my journey through the wetlands, a flash of black and white catches my attention. A male Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) has appeared, and his striking black-and-white plumage immediately draws my eye. His iridescent green and purple head and the large white patch behind his eye make him one of the most easily identifiable ducks in the area. The females, by contrast, are gray-toned with a smaller white patch behind the eye, but they are no less elegant. The Bufflehead’s small size and sharp contrast in plumage make it a bird to watch closely, especially when in flight, where the brightness of the white patches can be seen more clearly.

Next, I see a Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) cutting through the water. The drake has a dark head with a greenish gloss, which is strikingly contrasted by the white circular patch below his eye. His body is a dark black back with a white neck and belly. The female Common Goldeneye, on the other hand, is more understated in color with her brown head and mostly gray body. Her orange-yellow legs and feet are distinctive, helping me differentiate her from other ducks in the area.

Nearby, a small, compact duck with a stiff tail holds my attention: the Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis). The male Ruddy Duck is unmistakable, especially in breeding plumage. His bright chestnut body and blue bill are eye-catching, but it’s his blackish cap and contrasting white cheeks that make him particularly striking. In winter, however, he dons a more dull gray-brown plumage with a paler bill, a perfect example of how much ducks can change throughout the year. The female Ruddy Duck is smaller, with a more subtle appearance, but her blurry stripe across the pale cheek patch helps distinguish her from other species.

As I conclude my journey along the water's edge, I take a moment to reflect on the elegant mergansers I’ve encountered. First, I observe the Common Merganser (Mergus merganser), a sleek and sizable bird, its distinctive crest of longer feathers adding to its elegance. The male, in full breeding plumage, is a striking sight: his white body tinged with a soft salmon-pink hue and his head a glossy iridescent green, nearly shimmering in the sunlight. The female, with her reddish-brown head and soft gray body, presents a more understated beauty, yet no less captivating.
Next, I spot the Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), a smaller, more nimble species with a spiky crest that distinguishes it from the others. The male’s deep green head, rusty breast, and black back make him immediately recognizable, while the female, more subtly colored with a reddish-brown head and gray body, mirrors the male in a more muted fashion.

Finally, I am fortunate to observe the Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus), a true gem of Saskatchewan’s waters. The male, with his striking black-and-white plumage, is easily recognized by his large, distinctive crest, which he can raise into a dramatic fan, giving him an almost regal appearance. His yellow eyes stand out against the contrast of his black back and white sides. The female, though more subdued in color with a brownish-gray body and a smaller crest, still holds a quiet elegance, her soft plumage complementing the peaceful waters she inhabits.
Each of these mergansers, with their unique traits, reminds me of the remarkable diversity and beauty of Saskatchewan’s waterfowl, a testament to the richness of the wetlands I’ve come to cherish.

As the day draws to a close, the wetlands are alive with the sounds and movements of these magnificent birds. From the majestic Canvasbacks to the energetic Redheads, each duck has its own story, and as I leave the wetlands, I reflect on how much there is to learn from these birds. Their distinct characteristics—whether in their plumage, eye color, or unique behaviors—remind me of the delicate balance of nature. Each duck I’ve encountered today has shared a small piece of the larger puzzle of life in this wetland, and I am grateful to have witnessed it all.

Now that you have gone on the duck Naturalist Journey Welcome to the Duck Identification Puzzle!

In this challenge, you’ll need to name the ducks matching the letters provided. Follow these steps to uncover the final coordinates:

1. Examine the images.
   Take a close look at the ducks in the attached images. Each letter represents a different species.

2. Identify each duck
   Using your knowledge or the provided clues in the story, name each duck in the image(s) corresponding to the letters ( each species shows a male and female as a couple or individually in a set of two photos ).

3. Obtain the corresponding numeric value.
   Once you've named the ducks, find the numeric value associated with each species.

4. Perform the math.
   Using the numeric values from each duck, follow the math instructions provided. You’ll need to calculate these values in a specific order to unlock the final answer.

5. Find the final coordinates.
   After completing the calculations, you’ll arrive at the final set of coordinates, which will lead you to the hidden geocache!

Now that you have the most excellent answers for which duck represents which numeral, then this little math formula will let you in on the GPS coordinates! 

Your answer should look like: Latitude N52° ##.### Longitude W106° ##.###  Good luck!

N 52° [ H - (F + J ) ] [  B  ] . [ C -( I + J )] [ E ] [ I ]

W 106° [ A + A ] [ D - F  ]   . [ G - E ] [ K  + E ] [ G x G ]

In 2025, geocaching is celebrating 25 glorious years—and to mark this milestone, we’ve embraced Back to Nature theme in the second quarter of the year. Don't forget to check what is coming up in the third quarter!  If you’re participating, don’t forget to share your Back to Nature finds on social media! Tag @geocaching and use #GeoHT25 for a chance to be featured on Instagram.  Optional step (this is not an ALR: "Additional Logging Requirement".)

1. One may partake in this delightful endeavor by concealing a geocache inspired by "back to nature" between the dates of March 26 – June 5, 2025. Upon completing such a noble task, I beseech you to nominate your cache by filling out the designated form.
2. If one should have the good fortune of discovering a "back to nature"-themed geocache between March 26 – June 5, 2025, I encourage you to share your find by nominating the cache with the completion of a simple form.
3. Might I suggest that you partake in the spirit of social sharing by posting your photographs of the geocache upon the popular medium of Instagram? Be sure to tag @geocaching and employ the hashtag #GeoHT25 for a delightful opportunity to have your contribution featured upon Instagram’s Stories.